Photos

March 2008

Member Since

WHO AM I ? : My Flickr "Buddy Icon" (avatar) is not me. It's a head crop of my favorite old Japanese photographer T. ENAMI, photographed over 110 years ago in his Yokohama studio. The real Okinawa Soba (a.k.a. Rob) is a white-haired American geezer in his 60s, who's been living in Okinawa on and off for most of the past 40 years (since 1973). My wife of 36 years is OKINAWAN. We have three daughters, now all grown, who were born and raised in Okinawa.

Family pics are relatively rare on this photostream, but they can be found. I do have a Flickr Set dedicated to "MY DAUGHTERS".

*

MY PICS --- Either I TOOK THEM, or I OWN THEM (and have full legal rights to their use)

MY CAPTIONS --- (1) Half of them are dead serious, straightforward, historical or informational commentary about the content of the image, (2) The other half are, stupid, silly, retarded, ridiculous satire and spoof, including out-and-out fictional fabrications where I use the photo as a launching pad for my meaningless meanderings. However, not all such literary devices are without a grain of truth, and many times you will find a link taking you to the realities that I so lazily detour around.

How do you tell the difference between (1) and (2) ? Use your sixth sense, gut feelings, and intuition. If that fails you, please leave a comment under the photo asking me what the hell is going on. I will get back to you !

For the most part, the photostream consists of an alternating mix of (1) MODERN-DAY OKINAWA (photos by me), and (2) ANTIQUE PHOTOS of JAPAN AND ASIA. The latter are largely cropped from / based on scans I've made from "public domain" originals in my own possession. That is, I own the out-of-copyright, physical prints and slides that I post, and have the unencumbered, legal right to do so.

YOU CAN USE MY OLD PHOTOS ! --- Download and re-blog any of the old images you want to, or decorate your Web-site with your own crops and re-working of the images ! Flickr rules ask you to link the photos back to the Flickr source. Off-line use ? Yeah, sure. Download images for your homework, crafts, and other artsy uses, or to hang in your room to throw darts at. No problem. More comments about this below.

TAKING FLICKr AT THEIR WORD

My basic understanding of Flickr's TOS, CG, and Flickr practice according to all I observe (and I might be wrong) is the following:

Sure you can post photos you didn't take. Just look at all the Family Photos that Flickr account holders are in, all taken by your kids, your parents, and your friends at beach parties, birthdays, and family gatherings. Look at all of those group and personal shots where you handed your camera to someone and said, "Hey, could you take a picture of us?" Well, you didn't take them did you? But Flickr's CG says "you can't post them, because you didn't take them".

But, did Flickr Staff really mean that ? It's hard to imagine that they really meant to squash the joy of posting all of those happy photos you are in, simply because it wasn't your finger on the shutter button. But, according to Flickr's CG, that Birthday pic of you taken by your mother could get your entire account deleted by Flickr Staff.

Also...

The well-promoted presence of FLICKr COMMONS images is an open indicator to all that Flickr absolutely allows the posting of images that were not taken by the account member, but that are in the account member's possession (owned or administered by them), and are either (1) out of copyright and in the public domain, or (2) copyrighted images posted by those who have the legal right to do so.

Rumor has it that "institutions" may have to fill out a separate agreement with Flickr, but their old, public domain images wind up right here on the same Flickr pages that have the same TOS and CG as the rest of us do, even while we are posting what is many times the exact same public domain images.

Flickr has yet to address this anomaly on the TOS and CG pages that we all are supposed to abide by.

The "grey areas" loom large.

As for my photostream, any exceptions are by permission, and clearly noted in the post. When it does happen, my usual reason for posting a public domain image that belongs to someone else (or another institution) is to complement one of my own images in order to teach or explain something about the history of the image, or images similar to it.

SO, WHAT DOES FLICKr STAFF SEEM TO BE SAYING ?

FLICKR seems to be saying, by deed and example, that If you TOOK the photo, if the photo was TAKEN BY SOMEONE ELSE UNDER YOUR DIRECTION, if the photo is part of a FAMILY ARCHIVE of personal images taken of you or your ancestors by photographers and studios, or, if you PHYSICALLY OWN AN ORIGINAL PHOTO THAT IS AN OUT-OF-COPYRIGHT IMAGE which is IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN with NO KNOWN RESTRICTIONS.... then Flickr Staff will probably not get bent out of shape and shut you down if you post it for the education and enjoyment of all.

More on this further below.

If someone from FLICKr STAFF happens to be reading this, I hope you can jump in and resolve these seeming contradictions and "grey areas" for the benefit of all of us. Thanks.

*

*

HAISAI, HOWDY, & KONNICHIWA !.

THIS CC ARCHIVE OF MOSTLY OLD JAPANESE PHOTOS IS JUST FOR YOU !

ALL OF THE PHOTOS POSTED ARE ORIGINAL TO THIS PHOTOSTREAM --- NONE OF THE IMAGES ARE RIPPED, GRABBED, STOLEN, OR UNETHICALLY APPROPRIATED FROM ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE INTERNET.

MOST OF THE IMAGES WERE SCANNED BY MY OWN HANDS, FROM ORIGINALS IN MY OWN POSSESSION. SINCE THEN, A FEW HAVE TRADED HANDS WITH OTHER COLLECTORS. THOSE VERY FEW IMAGES NOT ORIGINALLY IN MY POSSESSION WERE POSTED WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF THE CREDITED COLLECTOR.

♥ ♥ ♥ With just a few exceptions, almost EVERY OLD PHOTO you see on this photostream is completely free to use for your Blogging, Website, and other ARTSY, CRAFTY, FOLKSY Creative Uses ! YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION -- NO NEED TO ASK !

♥ ♥ ♥ While the PHOTOS ARE FREE TO USE --- Note that Flickr (not me) requires a link back to the Flickr page as a means of giving PROPER CREDIT and SOURCE INFORMATION.

Since I am under no moral, ethical, or legal obligation to post the "Public Domain" images in the oft-times scratched, faded, or decrepit condition I find them, the following is sometimes resorted to prior to posting on Flickr :

♥ ♥ ♥ MY ALTERATIONS : (1) Sometimes, I minimally use Google's PICSA to correct or restore image tones and contrast, and occasionally add simple borders. (2) I sometimes use basic MS Paint to clean dings, scratches, foxing, and gunk from any old and afflicted photos, while filling in any gaping holes or missing chunks of emulsion. Further, (3) while doing this, in lieu of obvious watermarking, I sometimes make minor modifications to areas of the print that are "off subject". [EXAMPLES : Were there seven pebbles on the ground? Now there are only six. Did that tree in the distance have thirteen branches? Now there are only twelve.] This helps me to "track" use of the photos by others who like operating outside the bounds of Flickr rules.

Please note above that I said "sometimes". I do NOT make repairs all the time, and several of my posts retain the patina and scars of time.

♥ ♥ ♥ YOUR ALTERATIONS : YOU ARE FREE TO DO FURTHER POST PROCESSING ON ANY CC IMAGE to make the picture just how you like it for your own needs.

♥ ♥ ♥ Please don't pull a juvenile "BOB DYLAN" stunt by copying or re-painting the images, while telling everyone that these are a "visual record" of your own personal travels and face time you've had with people during your treks around the world.

♥ ♥ ♥ Please don't be an eBay Jerk by copying, watermarking, and selling all or part of my posted photo collection, while falsely passing everything off as your own.

I chose this as my Flickr handle simply because I have noodles for brains.

ABOUT MY OWN PHOTOS...TAKEN BY ME :

All of my own recent stuff is general, run-of-the-mill, straight-forward, SNAP SHOTS taken with point-and-shoot DIGITAL POCKET CAMERAS set to the most basic of automatic functions. There are no DSLR pics, and no beautiful wonders of PhotoShop creativity.

Basically, any OKINAWA location images you see here (and some taken during my travels) have probably been photographed with much more skill and beauty by others.

My pics are just a record of things I've seen and liked, and my verbose captions are my own stockpile of dubious thoughts and opinions that, if ever needed in hard-copy by a student of psychology, can someday be edited down to a more functional pithy-ness of proper prose.

BASIC PHOTOSTREAM STATS.....

► STARTED POSTING THIS CC FLICKr ARCHIVE FOR PUBLIC USE on 4 March 2008.

► THE ABOVE "VISITOR COUNTER" (TO THIS PROFILE PAGE, NOT THE PHOTOSTREAM) was activated on 2 Aug 2009 (18 months after joining flickr).

► OVER 6,000 PHOTOS --- MOST OF THEM 100 YEARS OLD AND OLDER --- ARE ARRANGED FOR YOU IN VARIOUS SETS AND COLLECTIONS.

► WEIRD FLICKr ALGORITHMS HAVE PLACED 52 IMAGES IN EXPLORE --- 14 CURRENTLY. (The most to be displayed in EXPLORE at any one time = 14) [Currently NIPSA'd]

► AS OF JANUAR 2015 --- Nearing 30,000,000 hits on the Photostream, Sets, and Collections.

PRIOR TO MAY 2013, this photostream received 20 Million views over 5 years, or, about 4 Million hits a year. AFTER MAY 2013, Flickr changed how stats are compiled, and the rate is now closer to 5 million views a year. I do not really understand how they do the counting, and take it all with a grain of salt.

► OVER 2 MILLION VISITS to the SETS & COLLECTIONS.

► VISITORS HAVE COME FROM 134 COUNTRIES.

SOME PERSONAL STUFF....

I am an American citizen, 62 years old, who, until recently, worked as a professional photographer in Okinawa, Japan. I have lived and worked here in one capacity or another for most of the past 40 years, and remain a permanent resident of Japan. I am now engaged in other pursuits, but continue to enjoy photography as an amateur.

My wife is Okinawan. My three daughters were born in Okinawa, and have dual JAPAN-USA citizenship.

I have been asked more than once by Japanese Immigration officials if I would be interested in having Japanese citizenship. After politely declining, I stated publicly in a newspaper article that I have no interest in "becoming Japanese", (although the Mainland is a very nice place to visit) but would readily accept OKINAWAN CITIZENSHIP if there was such a thing --- which unfortunately, there is not. (Some more personal notes are found farther below)

♥ YES, YOU MAY USE THE PHOTOS ! ♥

Here's some more specific comment on your permission to freely use the old photos posted on this photostream "

♦ IF YOU ARE A BLOGGER or WEBMASTER. YOU MAY USE THESE IMAGES ON YOUR COMMERCIAL OR NON-PROFIT BLOGS AND WEBSITES FOR EITHER PERSONAL, SERIOUS, STUDIOUS, FRIVOLOUS, OR DECORATIVE USE.

♦ THE PHOTOS MAY BE RE-CAPTIONED, RE-DESCRIBED, AND FREELY COMMENTED ON --- OR BE USED IN WAYS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR TEXT OR COMMENTARY.

♦ OTHER FAIR USE APPLICATIONS AS DESCRIBED BY CURRENT COPYRIGHT LAW ARE ALSO PERMITTED --- THERE IS NO NEED TO CONTACT ME TO ASK PERMISSION. PERMISSION IS ALREADY GRANTED !!!

♦ When re-posting these images straight to blog and website pages, please provide a link back to the flickr source as per flickr's community guidelines. Thank you kindly in advance for proper source credit.

♦ Basically....... USE 'EM and HAVE FUN!!

NOTE : Concerning the captions under my posted photos....If you are an ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE visitor to this site, then may GOD HELP YOU. You will encounter plenty of sarcasm, spoof, and satire here. I have not stripped away the color, devices, or flavor of English usage for the sake of accommodating a global audience, where some might not understand these things, and think I am saying something that could be quite the opposite.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JAPAN

Due to having lived most of my life in Japan's southern frontier prefecture of Okinawa --- working with, being exasperated with, cooperating with, and both loving and butting heads with Okinawans and Japanese from ALL walks of life --- I have formed my own opinions about Japan and the Japanese. Some of these opinions (filtered through my own personality) show up in various sentimental ways in the captions of the images I post.

With a few shining exceptions, I have not had many positive experiences while dealing with the mainland Japanese who live and work in Okinawa in business and Government capacities. This, along with a thorough knowledge of Japan's centuries-long interference in Okinawan affairs, has tainted my view of Japan (as a national entity, and "body politic") in the way that some Native Americans, Hawaiians, Eskimos, and others have had their view of the "White Man" similarly tainted.

During my occasional travels to the mainland, I have experienced the full range of human emotions in my interactions there, and well understand both the positive and negative aspects of life in Japan for natives and foreigners alike.

I recognize that others have had different experiences than me while in Japan, and might disagree with some things I have to say. No problem. Please post your own photos and experiences, and I will applaud you for it.

As already implied, I make no apologies for any MOCKING SPOOF of anything the Japanese might throw at me. There is nothing and no one in Japan that is sacred or immune to comment --- including any Emperors that have ascended to the throne.

For better (and for worse) the Japanese in general (and the Okinawans in specific) are my maddening in-laws, and also my best friends. They are the ones I have loved the deepest, and also the ones I have wanted to strangle the most !

Within Japan, and definitely in a historical and cultural class of their own, the people of Okinawa have been an especially humbling source of great inspiration.

♦

SOURCES OF THE PHOTOS POSTED BY OKINAWA SOBA

THERE ARE NO ILLICIT COPIES HERE. THERE ARE NO RIP-OFFS TAKEN FROM OTHER ON-LINE SITES OR POSTINGS. NOTHING IS "PIRATED" FROM OTHER COLLECTORS.

Almost 100% of the images you see on my photostream were created from originals that are in my possession and care. Nothing has been ripped or pirated from others. Every post has been copied or scanned by me from the originals, and then prepared one-by-one for display on flickr. The few photos that I formerly owned, or are from the collections of others, are posted here by permission of the current owner or collector, and credited at the posting.

95% of the OLD PHOTS you see posted here on this photostream were acquired by me directly from photography dealers and collectors in over 30 countries during the 1970s through the 1990s.

The other 5% were fought down to the wire on eBay.

A FLICKr PARADOX

Flicker rules clearly state, "....DON'T POST ANY PHOTOGRAPHS THAT YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN YOURSELF....".

On the other hand, Flickr.com heavily promotes their own blatant violation of their own rules via something called the FLICKr COMMONS, thus setting an apparent "IT'S OK" example for those of us that have the exact same photos --- many times in better condition than the "official" archives to whom Flickr grants a waiver excusing them from Flickr rules.

I personally don't understand this contradiction, and have seen poorer presentations of COMMONS images than personal photostreams hosting the exact same PUBLIC DOMAIN photos with "regular Flickr members" posting better archival data and more meaningful links.

Why Flickr NIPSA's (censors) serious, private contributors like us is beyond my understanding and comprehension of what goes on in the minds of the otherwise illustrious Flickr Staff who control these things..

♦

MORE PERSONAL STUFF....

STATIONED ON OKINAWA During the VIETNAM WAR

In 1972-73, I spent a couple of months being trained by the United States Government in the art and science of killing as many Southeast Asians as possible, including placement of "roadside bombs" (In my case, it was not "improvised explosive device" IEDs of Middle Eastern fame, but rather, the art of placing well-concealed Claymore Mines along the roadsides, each one of the devices being able to pulverize upwards of 40 human beings at a time).

My Government instructors openly called the hard-working people of those distant lands "gooks".

However, in spite of twice receiving orders to Vietnam, and being prepared to ship out from Okinawa each time, these orders were rescinded at the last moment, and I wound up working my full tour of duty in the US Army Hospital in Okinawa.

Here, the results of war were daily brought to us, and we helped nurse back to health those soldiers and marines who were waylaid by sickness or injury.

I SEE DEAD PEOPLE

The Government's sole purpose for getting these injured guys patched up was to see them return to the field of battle, where they could continue killing as many "gooks" as our bombs and ammunition would allow.

So, in this capacity, while (1) getting paid well by the US Government for my services, and (2) while religious Americans spouted off, and opined about the evils of abortion, I (3) directly aided an abetted the killing of what is now estimated to be 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 Southeast Asians, including women, children, and the elderly --- all of whom never posed an ounce of threat to the United States of America.

And, as usual, it was the "Pro-Life, Religious Right" that were the main, flag-waving supporters of my participation in America's wholesale slaughter of humanity in that region of the world.

We called it "THE VIETNAM WAR".

Nowadays, when I see the sad sight of my fellow Americans getting blown up by roadside bombs in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, It brings back memories of when the United States Government trained me to do the EXACT SAME THING to others in a country we had no business being in.

While working at the Hospital in Okinawa (eventually as E-5 Army Sergeant Oechsle, NCO in charge of the Pharmacy), I also took pictures, and privately taught basic photography and darkroom work. In fact, I've been an avid amateur photographer for over 40 years, with about 15 of those years doing it professionally in Japan.

I only wish I had taken more pictures back then.

THE AFTER EFFECTS of WAR

I'm sure that my Military Hospital experience during the Vietnam war has had a lasting effect on my psyche and personality, though I'm not really sure what it is.

I did "wax religious" for many years after the war, but found that the world of "religion" can be just as destructive to humanity as bombs and bullets.

However, to this day, I remain an un-apologetic "Cultural Imperialist" who has absolutely no tolerance for the adolescence ideas of "Cultural Relativity" and "Moral Equivalency", or any other lame excuses of the "Time / Place" variety that lets the world sit by while women and children get run over and trampled by the lame-brained misogynists who continue to run half of the patriarchal, stone-aged countries of the world.

You will probably pick up on that in a few of my captions.

Otherwise, enjoy the photos, and feel free to re-blog any CC-rated images that might help out your own Web-pages.

Testimonials
(39)

"I'm truly impressed by Okinawa Soba & his amazing photostream. It's one of the very best photostream in Flickr! Very informative & educational about old photos/photography, the gorgeous island of Okinawa & very many other things which, quite a few, are important in life, to me at least.
After browsing through almost all the pics & comments that he had posted, I came to a conclusion that Okinawa Soba himself is quite a remarkable man, intelligent, knowledgeable & bluntly honest. A man who is not afraid to be outspoken & I agreed with many things he commented in his pics. His info, thoughts & comments give me a better understanding of certain places, the people, their society & culture.
Thank you, Okinawa Soba san, for sharing & keep up the outstanding works!"

"Don't seem to be the only one vastly impressed with the fabulous digital archive you've clearly lovingly created, but I happily join the ranks of those who greatly appreciate what you do and have done."

"His photo stream is both full of historical and artistic value, there's something endearing about every single photo published. There's something raw and beautiful about photography in the beginning, and this Flickr is a wonderful example of that. It's almost as if through the constant experimentation to figure out what Photography was, the earliest photographers knew something more than current commercial and artistic photographers alike.
He has an AMAZING knowledge of the photos presented, and always tries to give backstory and history or at least some sort of humorous analogy to the photos he posts.

Aside from that, even his own personal photos are beautiful. He has a great sense of composition and color and I enjoy his stream thoroughly."

"I look forward each time I log-on, to see just what photographic gems and the entertaining and literary comments I may find in your stream.
As one who played around with archival, tour albums, in my past I I have never seen this depth of collecting in this specific field.
You my friend, are a very special person to share your understanding and images with us.
I really do hope you will continue to publish, and that you have a secure fire proof place to keep your passion.
May all the Gods and Goddesses in heaven and earth and the under the seas smile on you.
K.www.numinous.ca"

"I truly love all of the images you upload, even if they are not really yours.
You bring them back to life and I am sure that would mean alot to the artists who made them.
I love your ever intelligent writing, you really give us something interesting to pounder about with every image that you post.
Thanks Okinawa!"

"To Okinawa Soba, thanks for showing us the history of Japan thru your photograph, you did not only share with us your culture and tradition but help us understand what Japan is all about. I hope our future generation will learn from it. I salute you!"

"Rob, is a great and very generous. It was great meeting you and I look forward to meeting up with you again in the future. Thanks for sharing a bit of your extensive collection of amazing photographs! My daughter loves the View-Master."

"I cannot express how impressed I am with your photostream. I would mark every picture of it as a favorite. I have looked at some ot them for a long time just to enjoy the beauty they portray. Thank you!"

"I could stare at these photos for hours and hours. I just love old photos, and even more: old photos of Japan! They make you try imagine how things could have been - a healing exercise for the fantasy.

Thank you for your effort. (Even if you only do it for your own pleasure, hehe). You are dealing with history here and that is why your work is most respected and appreciated."

"Important Cultural Property is a designation given in Japan to something that exhibits an essential aspect of Japanese culture. These photos and our host should be given that designation. The attention to detail, the scholarship and the dedication to educate and illuminate go far beyond most Flickr pages. I share these urls with so many people here in Japan and abroad and only hope that some day I will be able to see the actual images. One of Flickr's best."

"The most entertaining photo site I have ever come across, wonderful photo's, lively discussion and witty remarks. Its a real treat and I appreciate the great deal of time and dedication you have put in. I am also looking forward publication of the book! Many thanks Denis57"

"I still don't understand where Okinawa Soba is from (probably from Okinawasobaland). I do not know if he is a skillful photografer 'cos he does not post anything of his own. I do not know what face he have. I suppose he's an "he", I am pretty sure he's not a "she" but he could be an "it".
I know he uploads wonderful picture and seems to hate Japan like only a real Japanese could do. At the same time, he seems to love it like only a real Japanese could do. The problem is that I am talking about two different Japaneses, while Okinawa Soba is just one. This means also that, like everyone who deserve to be listened or readed, he have a not solid mental balance. And, far from being an insult. that's really ok.
But I still prefer pasta to soba."

"Okinawa Soba is arguably and quite honestly one of the biggest photographic philanthropists there is! You will find amazing images that he has collected and is now sharing with You. His opinions, background information and points in the right direction will allow You to not only enjoy each scene more, but many times think more and even gain a deeper understanding of the times, situations and technical details of the image that many people leave out either because they don't know, don't care or are too lazy to write (or any combination of the three). I am really, really happy to have found his photo stream and hope that many others that Love Photography and Stereoscope Photography in particular will find and enjoy it as well! Please be warned not be surprised when You find that You've added most of his stream to Your Favorites and hours of Your day mysteriously disappear as soon as You choose even one of the photos to view (^_^)"

"THE BEST PHOTOSTREAM!! You have exactly what i want to see, as far as photographs. Thank you so much for sharing some of your collection with the world as well as your interesting Commentary,ideas and oppinions."

"I have NEVER seen anything like this. To say that I am impressed is an understatement. I really appreciate the work and effort put into restoring, modifying, editing and uploading these images. Your sets belong in a museum but for now they will remain timeless here online. Being of Japanese decent I regard these images with a very high sentimental value...Once again, excellent work and thank you for sharing these previously unknown and obscure images with the modern world."

"For some women Dr. Soba is stupid and belongs to the race "idiot". ;)
For a little German-Korean boy he is a "Santa Clause".
For me, he is the last hero of truth and justness in the world, who understood what "humor" is. Humor means in German "Calm, serenity, cool-headedness and poise. "Gelassenheit" :-)"

"These prints from old Japan are truly amazing both for clarity and colour.
You are truly "one of a kind" for making them available to all of us on Flickr.
I highly recommend your photostream to anyone who can access it.

"The old photos of Japan that you have uploaded onto Flickr have opened my eyes to a different world. There's so much information to be learned from each photo, not only about the culture of the Taisho or Meiji era but also how photographs were taken and composed those days. Appreciate the trouble you have taken to scan these images and upload them for the rest of us to enjoy."

April 6th, 2008

Joined:

March 2008

Hometown:

Born in Philadelphia, PA

Currently:

OKINAWA (Formerly the KINGDOM OF RYUKYU), the Southern-most Prefecture of JAPAN